Gadkari attacks Chidambaram over Delhi HC blast

New Delhi: Expressing dismay over the blast in the heart of the "seat of power", BJP President Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday hit out at Home Minister P Chidambaram, asking him to stop attacking political opponents and instead concentrate on fighting terrorism.

"That terrorists could strike in the very heart of the seat of power of the central government with impunity is a serious matter and has exposed the tall claims of Delhi Police and the intelligence agencies about the safety of the national capital," Gadkari said, in a statement.

He demanded a high-level probe into the incident to bring the culprits to book and look into the "failure of the intelligence agencies".

At least nine people were killed and several injured in a blast at the reception area of Delhi High Court.

Gadkari asked, Chidambaram to stop training his guns against political opponents and concentrate his energies in tackling the menace of terrorism.

The BJP chief, who also visited the injured at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, pointed out that "the incident has happened, when Parliament session is still on.

"Government needs to change its policy towards terrorists and should chalk out ways to deal with terrorism as terrorists are active in the country," he said.

Expressing "profound shock and dismay" over the blast, he sent his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.

He appealed to the people of Delhi not to panic and help authorities maintain peace and harmony.